Kelvin wave

Kelvin waves are gravity driven and non-dispersive.

This means that Kelvin waves can retain their shape and direction over long periods of time.

Kelvin waves are known to have very high speeds, typically around 2-3 meters per second.

The system became better organized as it tracked to the west-northwest as a westerly Kelvin wave provided favorable conditions for development.

In particular, there was still no observational evidence of the westward-traveling "Kelvin" waves; Lindzen postulated their existence theoretically.

At the equator, mixed Rossby-gravity and Kelvin waves can also be observed.

These waves are called coastal Kelvin waves, and have propagation speeds of approximately 2 m/s in the ocean.

Overview of Kelvin waves from the American Meteorological Society.

Slideshow at utexus.edu about Kelvin waves.

A pulse in the Madden-Julian oscillation, together with a convective Kelvin wave allowed the system to develop.